Electric switch



1 J. BORDELON ELECTRIC SWITCH Aug. 9, 1949.

Filed Oct. 25, 1946 IN V EN TOR. awe/Ice J. borde/on BY Patented Aug. 9,.1949

ELECTRIC SWITCH Lawrence J. Bordelon, San Diego, Calif., assigner toConsolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, Calif., acorporation oi Delaware Application October 25, 1946, Serial No. 705,578

6 Claims. (Cl. 20o- 106) This invention relates to improvements inelectrical switches and more particularly to an electrical switch whichis so constructed that it will serve, not only to initiate the actuationof a motor or motors associated in circuit therewith, but will alsoindicate when devices actuated by said motor or motors have completedthe function or movement for which they are designed.

Basically, the switch consists in a spring biased operating elementwhich is so associated with a rocking contact element that the rockingelement always tends to return to a neutral, circuit breaking position.To control the returnI of the operating element there in associated withthe operating element a solenoid installed in series with the switch,which is adapted to maintain the rockingcontact element in its circuitmaking position. To permit the proper actuation of the switch it isnecessary that there be placed in circuit with it limit switches orsimilar circuit breaking devices. Thus, when the elements driven by themotors actuated by the switches have performed their function theyinactivate the limit switches, break the circuit, withdraw the solenoidcore and permit the operating element to be returned to its neutralposition. Therefore, the necessity for the manual throwing of the switchto its circuit breaking position is precluded and the return of theoperating element gives a visual indication of the satisfactorycompletion of the operation. Further, the operating element isautomatically retained in its circuit making position and it is nolonger necessary to hold the switch in its circuit making position untilthe desired sequence of action initiated by the throwing of the switchis accomplished.

One object of this invention is to provide an electrical switch which isso constructed that it c will automatically return to its neutral,circuit breaking position upon the completion of an operation for whichit has been thrown.

- Another object of the invention is the provision of a switch, theposition of whose operating element or throw will indicate the propercompletion of a predetermined action by a mechanism associated with theswitch.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an electricalswitch which has embodied therein means adapted to indicate a failure inthe circuit or mechanism associated with said switch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an electricalswitch which, although having means embodied therein to accomplish itsautomatic return to the circuit breaking position, need not be held inposition by manual means in performing its circuit making function.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent by aconsideration of the specification and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure i is a side elevational view, partly in sec-1 tion, showing theswitch in its circuit making position;

Figure 2 is an end elevational View oi' the switch, partly in section,shown in its circuit breaking or inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the coniiguration of the rockingcontact element; and

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the switch elements and a typicalcircuit in which they are utilized.

There is shown in the drawings a preferred embodiment of the 'switch IUwhich includes a generally rectangular housing ll having ears I2 formedintegrally therewithdepending from its lower edge which are crimped overto retain a base or closure member i3 thereupon. Closure member I3 ismade of insulating or non-conductive material and has cut or otherwiseformed therein at opposite ends slots Il adapted to receive terminalmembers I5 and I6. The upper ends of terminal members i5 and i6 are bentover with binding screws I9 t0 permit the attachment thereto ofconductors 20.

Located within the housing il in such a manner that opposite endsthereof are adapted to be imposed upon contact points Il and i8 forcircuit making action is a rocking contact member 2l which is mountedupon a bracket 22 whose vertical sides 23 have orifices therein adaptedto receive ears 24 projecting from the sides of the rocking contactmember 2| at its mid-portion.

The rocking contact member 2 l, which is made of conductive material,comprises a slightly bent plate 25 having a rectangular oriilce 26 whichis traversed by a band 21 of material formed integrally with the plate25. The band 2l is so formed thatvit" presents an arcuate concavity 28in which there is cut a longitudinal slot 30 for a purpose to behereinafter shown. As previously indicated ears 24 project from theopposite sides of bent plate 25 at substantially the mid-point of theplate.' Thus, the rocking contact member is susceptible of beingactuated upon the bracket 22 in such a manner that its opposite ends maybe 34 which seats in annular flange 3| and is retained therein by meansof switch mounting plate 35 fastened to the housing I I, as by means ofrivets 36 and which has formed therein an annular flange 31 adapted tocooperate with the upper portion of ball base 34 and retain it inposition on the top of housing There is formed within both the ball base34 and the grip portion 33 an axial hole 38 in which is seated anexpansion spring 39 which biases against the end of a plunger or rod 4|formed of non-conductive ma- -terial and adapted to ride within thearcuate concavity 28 formed in the rocking contact member 2|. Thedisplacement of the operating element 29 causes the rod 4| to be movedalong the surface of the rocking contact member 2| thus causing therocking contact member 2| to be tilted on its bracket support 22 andbringing either end of the rocking contact member 2| to bear upon eitherof contact points I1 or I8.

When the rocking contact member 2| is displaced from its neutralposition into either of its circuit making positions by the movement ofoperating element 29 the spring 39 is compressed by the upward travel ofrod 4l and there is a tendency for the spring to return operatingelement 29 and its associated rocking contact member 2| to its neutralposition.

To prevent this displacement during a prolonged operation and yet permitthe switch to break the circuit in which it is located automatically,there is provided a solenoid 42 which is mounted on closure member i3 bymeans of rivets or similar fastening devices 43 which pass through upperflange 44 0f the solenoid 42 and hold it immediately below rockingcontact member 2|. The solenoid 42 comprises a magnetic coil 45 ofconventional type which is wired in series with the switch and throughthe center of which runs a core 46 which is adapted to be displacedupwardly upon the making of the circuit by the throwing of the switchIl). The lower end of core 46 has formed thereupon an integral ange 41on which is seated one end of an expansion spring 48, the upper end ofsaid spring being biased against the bottom iiange 49 of solenoid 42.Therefore, when the circuit is broken by the action of associated limitswitches or similar devices and the coil 45 of the solenoid 42 is nolonger activated, the spring 48 will retract the core 46 into itsinactive position within the coil 45.

There is formed on the upper end of the core 46 of solenoid 42 a bladeor detent portion 5| having a concavity 52 formed in its tip and adaptedto project through an aperture 40 in base or closure member I3 andlongitudinal slot 30 in rocking contact member 2 l. When the throwing ofoperating element 29 causes the rocking contact element l2| to make thecircuit with one of the contact points |1 or I8, the blade portionVJ '5|is longitudinally displaced through the slot 30 in rocking contactmember 2|. The edge of blade will be brought into contact with theoperator the completion of said sequence.

end of plunger or rod 4| (as shown in Fig. l) and will retain theoperating element 29 in its circuit making position so that the end ofrocking contact member 2| will be kept in circuit making position withcontact point |1. In order to provide for the conduction of electricitythrough rocking contact member 2i a lead 53 is entende i from the upperportion of the coil and soldered or otherwise alxed to said rockingcontact member.

In Figure 4 there is shown a typical circuit in which a switch of theabove described type could be eiciently utilized. The switch I0 isplaced in circuit with limit switches 54 by means of conductors 55.Conductors 55 connect the limit switches 54 to the motors 56 which aregrounded at 51. A source of power or battery '58 powers the circuit anda lead 59 is shown rlmning therefrom into solenoid coil 45. Motor drivenactuators 60 are adapted to contact limit switches 54 at the end oftheir travel so that the circuit will be broken and the switch Illreturned to its neutral or circuit breaking position upon theinactivation of the solenoid 42.

The switch I0, in addition to holding the circuit closed during anoperational sequence and then breaking the circuit to indicate theproper completion of said operational circuitY by the return of switchthrow 29 to its neutral position, also serves a vital protectivefunction. In the circuit shown in Figure 4, an inoperative limit switchwould prevent the actuation of the motors since the switch l0controlling the circuit would not remain in its circuit making positionbecause the circuit would not be made through the solenoid and theretaining blade or detent would not be extended against the switchthrow. Therefore, an immediate indication of an inoperative circuitwould be presented.

There is thus provided a switch which will automatically be retained incircuit making position until the completion of an operational sequence,and which will return to its neutral, cirv cuit breaking position toindicate visually to the The switch also possesses a safety feature inthat it cannot be held automatically in circuit making position if thefailure of associated circuit breaking devices should occur.

The embodiment described above is merely a preferred embodiment of theinvention utilized to display the manner of construction and mode ofoperation of the device and it is, of course, obvious that changes couldbe made in details of construction which would still fall within thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In an electric switch, a housing, a closure means for said housing, aplurality of stationary contact members supported by said closure means,a contact member for individually engaging said stationary contactmembers, means for pivotally mounting said movable contact member,spring biased means exerting its force normally to maintain said movablecontact member in circuit breaking position, an actuating member movablysupported on said housing, adapted to control said spring biased meansfor moving said movable contact member into its circuit making andcircuit breaking positions, electromagnetically operated means in seriescircuit with said movable contact member supported by said closure meansand cooperating with said spring biased means to maintain said movablecontact member in circuit making position.

2. In an electric switch having a housing and closure means therefor,stationary contact means supported by said closure means, a movablecontact member for engaging said stationary contact means. mountingmeans provided on said closure means for pivotally mounting said movablecontact member, spring biased means engageable with said movable contactmember providing a force normally to maintain said movable contactmember in circuit breaking position, an actuating member movablysupported on said housing adapted to control said spring biased meansfor moving said movable contact member into its circuit making andcircuit breaking positions, electro-magnetically operated means inseries circuit with said movable contact member supported by saidclosure means and engageable with said spring biased means to maintainsaid movable contact member in circuit making position.

3. In an electric switch, a housing, a closure means for said housing, aplurality of stationary contact means supported by said closure means, amovable contact member for individually engaging said stationary contactmembers, mounting means carried by said closure means for pivotallymounting said movable contact member at a point substantially centrallythereof, spring biased means engageable with said movable contact memberproviding a force normally to maintain said movable contact member incircuit breaking position, an actuating member pivotally y supported onsaid housing adapted to carry said spring biased means for movementbodily thereof to actuate said movable contact member into its circuitmaking and circuit breaking positions, electro-magnetically operatedmeans supported by said closure means and cooperating with said springbiased means to maintain said movable contact member in circuit makingposition, said electro-magnetically operated means comprising a solenoidcoil in series circuit. with said movable contact member and a movablemeans actuable upon energization of said coil to move into engagementwith said spring biased means when the latter has operated said movablecontact member into circuit making position.

4. In an electric switch having a housing and a closure means therefor,a plurality of stationary contact members supported by said closuremeans, a moveable elongated contact member for successively engagingsaid stationary contact members, said movable contact member beingprovided with an opening therethrough, mounting means carried by saidclosure means for pivotally mounting said contact member at a pointsubstantially centrally thereof, spring biased means engageable withsaid movable contact member providing a force normally to maintain saidmovable contact member in circuit breaking position,

a manually operable actuating member pivotally supported by said housingadapted to carry said spring biased means for movement bodily thereof toactuate said movable contact member into its circuit making and circuitbreaking positions, electro-magnetically operated latch means supportedby said closure means and cooperating with said spring biased means tomaintain said ymovable contact member -in circuit making position, saidelectro-magnetically operated latch means comprising a solenoid coil inseries circuit with said movable contact, a movable core actuable uponenergization of said coil and disposed on the side of said movablecontact member opposite to said spring biased means, and

detent means mounted on said core and adapted Acircuit making position.

5. In an electric switch, a housing, an insulating closure means forsaid housing having an opening therethrough, a pair of stationarycontact members supported by said closure means, a movable elongatedcontact member for alternately engaging said stationary contact members,said movable contact member being provided with an opening aligned withsaid opening in said closure means, mounting means carried by saidclosure means for pivotally mounting said contact member for movementabout its center, wiring terminal means carried by said stationarycontact members, a manually operable actuating member pivotallysupported by said housing, spring biased means carried by said actuatingmember and engageable with said movable contact member for pivoting itinto circuit making position upon operation of said actuating member andfor automatically returning it to circuit breaking position,electro-magnetically operated latch means supported by said closuremeans and cooperating withl said spring biased means to maintain saidmovable contact member in circuit making position, saidelectro-magnetically operated latch means comprising a solenoid coil inseries circuit with said movable contact member supported exteriorly ofsaid closure means, a movable core actuable upon energization of saidcoil and disposed on the side of the movable contact member opposite tosaid spring biased means,v

and detent means mounted on said core and adaped to be moved by saidcore to move through the opening in said movable contact member toengage said spring biased means when the latter has been moved by themanual actuating member to move said movable contact member into circuitmaking position.

6. In an electric switch, a housing, an insulating closure means forsaid housing having an opening therethrough,4 a pair of stationarycontact members supported by said closure means, a movable elongatedcontact member for alternately engaging said stationary contact members,said movable contact member being provided with an opening aligned withsaid opening in said closure means, mounting means carried by saidclosure means for mounting said contact member for rocking movement,said stationary contact members extending to the exterior of the housingand carrying wiring terminal means on said exterior portion, a manuallyoperable actuating member pivotally supported by said housing, springbiased means operatively carried by said actuating member and engageablewith said movable contact member for moving it into circuit makingposition upon operation of said actuating member and for automaticallyreturning it to circuit breaking position, electro-magnetically operatedlatch means supported by said closure means and-v cooperating with Ysaidspring biased means to maintain said movable contact member in circuitmaking poeltion, said electro-magnetically operated latchmeanscomprising a solenoid coil in series circuit with said movable contactmember supported exteriorly of said closure means and adapted to beenergized on movement of said movable contact in circuit makingposition, a movable core actuable upon energization of said'ccil anddis- 8 REFERENCES crrnn UNITED STATES PATENTS posed on the side of themovable contact member opposite to said spring biased means, and detentmeans mounted on said core and adapted to be moved by said core to movethrough the opening in said movable contact member to engage said 5spring biased means when the latter has been am E moved by the manualactuating member to move Nlurgrgo Ausn Noaemn said movable contactmember into eircuitmaking 22027338 Krieger "Jan 14' 1936 position2,043,879 Bentley June 9: 1936 LAWRENCE J. BORDELQN. l.

